Chilean Sea Bass

This weekend we will offer Chilean Sea Bass. This particular type of seafood, because of it's white meat appeal, usually fetches premium prices in specialty markets and high-end restaurants. We hope to bring this "lobster like" delicacy to you at a value. We will serve an 8oz portion of pan seared Chilean Sea Bass over sauteed spinach with granny smith apples, mission figs and toasted macadamia nuts. All for the value of $33.75.

When consumers hear "sea bass" one of the first thoughts that comes to mind is the word endangered. However, I am here to tell you that this is not the case. The larger issue with sea bass is the manner in which the fish is harvested. 

Around 16,000 tons of Chilean Sea Bass are legally harvested each year in the Antarctic area. However, it is believed that up to twice as much is fished illegally. To prevent illegal and overfishing of this seafood there is a 24 country commission (The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources) that oversee's Chilean Sea Bass fisherie's

To regulate the problem of illegal fishing, the Commission adopted a measure that requires all imports of Chilean Sea Bass to be accompanied by documentation which verify's that the fish were caught legally. U.S. customs and NOAA fisheries do not allow Chilean Sea Bass imports w/out proper documentation. You can rest assured that the Chilean Sea Bass we are offering has gone through the proper channels. An interesting fact about Chilean Sea Bass imports to the US is that we only import about 15-20% of the worldwide Chilean Sea Bass catch. 

Chilean Sea Bass is also known as toothfish, caught in the southern ocean near Antarctica. The Chileans were the first to market toothfish to the United States, thus earning the name Chilean Sea Bass, despite the fact that this seafood is not really a bass and not always caught in Chilean waters. This fish can live for up to 50 years and can grow to over 200 pounds.